Andrew Jackson “Old Hickory” Born: March 15, 1767 around Waxhaw Died: June 8, 1845 in Nashville, Tennessee Terms: March 4, 1829 to March 3, 1837 (2 terms) Vice President: John C. Calhoun (1829-1832), Martin Van Buren (1833-1837) Political Party: Democrat
The Presidency of Andrew Jackson is probably one of the most notable in all of American history. The events that took place make the Jacksonian Era very important and life changing to all Americans, past, present and future. Despite several errors, such as the Tariff of 1832, on the part of Andrew Jackson the country came out of his Presidency better off. Due to the countries increased standard, if graded, Andrew Jackson should receive a B-.
President Andrew Jackson entered his Presidency with many goals to accomplish. The first was to create equality in the nation’s economy. He was determined to give the opportunity to all Americans to gain wealth and social standards. Because of his support to artisans, merchants, and farmers he quickly became known as the ‘people’s President.’ He was able to accomplish his goal somewhat with the introduction of the ‘spoils system’ to the federal government. Under the system Jackson appointed many government officials not based on intelligence or training. In essence he appointed those who supported him. By doing this he sent a message to the people that he wanted them, not just the wealthy, to be represented in the federal government. Another way he created some economic balance was his veto of the recharter of the Second National Bank. Jackson vetoed the bill because he felt the bank didn’t represent the ideals of the people. He felt it worked only toward the betterment of the rich. Another goal of Jackson was to move Native American’s westward. With the Indian Removal Act he was able to complete his goal but in inhumane ways, at least by the standards of today. Although Jackson was working for the overall protection of the Natives the forced march westward is comparable actions that took place in the Holocaust. The Natives were forced from their homes on American soil and transported westward. Their movement became known as the Trail of Tears due to the harsh treatment and many deaths that occurred because of the trip. While Jackson did accomplish his goal, this shouldn’t be considered a positive in his Presidency. A final goal for Andrew Jackson would be to increase the power of the federal government, specifically that of the executive branch. Many examples already presented show how Jackson increased executive power. His veto was the first presidential veto based on personal opinion. This was not the only bill vetoed during Jackson’s Presidency. He is known to have vetoed a dozen bills and to have been the first President to exercise the Pocket Veto. His defiance of the Supreme Court in many cases also stretched the power of Presidents. Overall Andrew Jackson did a very good job completing the goals he set at the beginning of his presidency.
President Andrew Jackson and the Congress of the United States had a very average relationship. Neither group really worked against each other but they also weren’t always in total agreement. During Jackson’s Presidency many bills were presented to Jackson but not nearly as many were passed. As mentioned above Jackson vetoed about a dozen bills while in office. One notable bill passed is the Tariff of 1832. The bill was a moderate tariff meant for protection of American industry. Despite the fact that it was moderate it still greatly angered the South, South Carolina specifically. South Carolina was so angered that they enacted an Ordinance of Nullification which allowed them to declare the tariff null and therefore void in their state. In response Jackson and Congress passed the Force Bill which officially gave President Jackson the power to armed forces to collect import duties. The crisis continued to escalate until the Tariff of 1833 was passed, with the influence of Henry Clay. The bill was a compromise that both Jackson and the South accepted. Two other important pieces of legislation are mentioned above: The Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Recharter of the Second National Bank. The recharter was vetoed while the Indian Removal Act of was passed. There were many other pieces of legislation that landed on the President’s desk. One was the Maysville Road Bill. The bill was meant to authorize the creation of a road within Kentucky. To the disappointment of many westerners Jackson vetoed the bill because he thought that it only worked for the benefit of one state, not the entire nation. Another piece of legislation was the Specie Circular. It was a pretty desperate attempt to stabilize the failing economy. It simply stated that all land must be purchased with “hard” or metal money. Overall the relationship between Andrew Jackson and Congress wasn’t too bad. Jackson did indeed veto quite a few bills but he passed many that would affect the United States for many years into the future.
Many positive things came out of the Presidency of Andrew Jackson. If a most positive needed to be chosen it would probably be the increase in executive power. Although some people look at Jackson as more of a monarch then a president he shaped the executive branch that can be seen today. It seems that throughout history the executive branch’s power has only been increased. Many have tried and failed to steal back some of the powers President’s have picked up along the way. To say that Andrew Jackson simply affected the balance of power in American government is a huge understatement. While he worked to strengthen his own branch he simultaneously worked to somewhat weaken that other branches. Many times, like with the Indian Removal Act, he defied the ruling of the Supreme Court. By vetoing bills on personal opinion he also weakened the power of the legislative branch. His actions stated that the President, and only the President, represented all Americans. Although many people looked down on Jackson’s actions in his time American’s today should thank him for the immense influence he had on today’s government.
Not every action Jackson took had a positive effect. His most negative move as President was probably the implementation of the Tariff of 1832. Although a protective tariff was necessary at the time much turmoil and resentment could have been avoided. With the original passing of a bill like the Tariff of 1833 Jackson could have avoided problems such as the Ordinance of Nullification. No one is perfect but the rebellions that occurred due to this rebellion could probably have been avoided.
President Jackson and his administration had many lasting effects. Two huge examples are the Spoils System and the increase in executive power. While the Spoils System wasn’t created by Jackson he is probably the first President to have used the system to such a high extent. While this system is still around today the most lasting action is the increase in executive power. Deep explanation isn’t really needed. Andrew Jackson’s actions substantially increased the power of the executive branch, making it what it is today.
In conclusion Andrew Jackson was a very good President. Not all of his action’s had the desired effects but his motives were almost always pure. Because of minor failures along that way Jackson can’t be awarded the grade of an A. Even so taking everything into account Andrew Jackson deserves the respectable grade of a B-.
Born: March 15, 1767 around Waxhaw
Died: June 8, 1845 in Nashville, Tennessee
Terms: March 4, 1829 to March 3, 1837 (2 terms)
Vice President: John C. Calhoun (1829-1832), Martin Van Buren (1833-1837)
Political Party: Democrat
The Presidency of Andrew Jackson is probably one of the most notable in all of American history. The events that took place make the Jacksonian Era very important and life changing to all Americans, past, present and future. Despite several errors, such as the Tariff of 1832, on the part of Andrew Jackson the country came out of his Presidency better off. Due to the countries increased standard, if graded, Andrew Jackson should receive a B-.
President Andrew Jackson entered his Presidency with many goals to accomplish. The first was to create equality in the nation’s economy. He was determined to give the opportunity to all Americans to gain wealth and social standards. Because of his support to artisans, merchants, and farmers he quickly became known as the ‘people’s President.’ He was able to accomplish his goal somewhat with the introduction of the ‘spoils system’ to the federal government. Under the system Jackson appointed many government officials not based on intelligence or training. In essence he appointed those who supported him. By doing this he sent a message to the people that he wanted them, not just the wealthy, to be represented in the federal government. Another way he created some economic balance was his veto of the recharter of the Second National Bank. Jackson vetoed the bill because he felt the bank didn’t represent the ideals of the people. He felt it worked only toward the betterment of the rich. Another goal of Jackson was to move Native American’s westward. With the Indian Removal Act he was able to complete his goal but in inhumane ways, at least by the standards of today. Although Jackson was working for the overall protection of the Natives the forced march westward is comparable actions that took place in the Holocaust. The Natives were forced from their homes on American soil and transported westward. Their movement became known as the Trail of Tears due to the harsh treatment and many deaths that occurred because of the trip. While Jackson did accomplish his goal, this shouldn’t be considered a positive in his Presidency. A final goal for Andrew Jackson would be to increase the power of the federal government, specifically that of the executive branch. Many examples already presented show how Jackson increased executive power. His veto was the first presidential veto based on personal opinion. This was not the only bill vetoed during Jackson’s Presidency. He is known to have vetoed a dozen bills and to have been the first President to exercise the Pocket Veto. His defiance of the Supreme Court in many cases also stretched the power of Presidents. Overall Andrew Jackson did a very good job completing the goals he set at the beginning of his presidency.
President Andrew Jackson and the Congress of the United States had a very average relationship. Neither group really worked against each other but they also weren’t always in total agreement. During Jackson’s Presidency many bills were presented to Jackson but not nearly as many were passed. As mentioned above Jackson vetoed about a dozen bills while in office. One notable bill passed is the Tariff of 1832. The bill was a moderate tariff meant for protection of American industry. Despite the fact that it was moderate it still greatly angered the South, South Carolina specifically. South Carolina was so angered that they enacted an Ordinance of Nullification which allowed them to declare the tariff null and therefore void in their state. In response Jackson and Congress passed the Force Bill which officially gave President Jackson the power to armed forces to collect import duties. The crisis continued to escalate until the Tariff of 1833 was passed, with the influence of Henry Clay. The bill was a compromise that both Jackson and the South accepted. Two other important pieces of legislation are mentioned above: The Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Recharter of the Second National Bank. The recharter was vetoed while the Indian Removal Act of was passed. There were many other pieces of legislation that landed on the President’s desk. One was the Maysville Road Bill. The bill was meant to authorize the creation of a road within Kentucky. To the disappointment of many westerners Jackson vetoed the bill because he thought that it only worked for the benefit of one state, not the entire nation. Another piece of legislation was the Specie Circular. It was a pretty desperate attempt to stabilize the failing economy. It simply stated that all land must be purchased with “hard” or metal money. Overall the relationship between Andrew Jackson and Congress wasn’t too bad. Jackson did indeed veto quite a few bills but he passed many that would affect the United States for many years into the future.
Many positive things came out of the Presidency of Andrew Jackson. If a most positive needed to be chosen it would probably be the increase in executive power. Although some people look at Jackson as more of a monarch then a president he shaped the executive branch that can be seen today. It seems that throughout history the executive branch’s power has only been increased. Many have tried and failed to steal back some of the powers President’s have picked up along the way. To say that Andrew Jackson simply affected the balance of power in American government is a huge understatement. While he worked to strengthen his own branch he simultaneously worked to somewhat weaken that other branches. Many times, like with the Indian Removal Act, he defied the ruling of the Supreme Court. By vetoing bills on personal opinion he also weakened the power of the legislative branch. His actions stated that the President, and only the President, represented all Americans. Although many people looked down on Jackson’s actions in his time American’s today should thank him for the immense influence he had on today’s government.
Not every action Jackson took had a positive effect. His most negative move as President was probably the implementation of the Tariff of 1832. Although a protective tariff was necessary at the time much turmoil and resentment could have been avoided. With the original passing of a bill like the Tariff of 1833 Jackson could have avoided problems such as the Ordinance of Nullification. No one is perfect but the rebellions that occurred due to this rebellion could probably have been avoided.
President Jackson and his administration had many lasting effects. Two huge examples are the Spoils System and the increase in executive power. While the Spoils System wasn’t created by Jackson he is probably the first President to have used the system to such a high extent. While this system is still around today the most lasting action is the increase in executive power. Deep explanation isn’t really needed. Andrew Jackson’s actions substantially increased the power of the executive branch, making it what it is today.
In conclusion Andrew Jackson was a very good President. Not all of his action’s had the desired effects but his motives were almost always pure. Because of minor failures along that way Jackson can’t be awarded the grade of an A. Even so taking everything into account Andrew Jackson deserves the respectable grade of a B-.
Sources:
"21st United States Congress." Wikipedia. Web. 24 Sep 2009. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_United_States_Congress>.
"Andrew Jackson." POTUS. Web. 24 Sep 2009. <http://www.potus.com/ajackson.html>.
"The Presidency of Andrew Jackson." Digital History. 04/10/2009. Web. 15 Oct 2009. <http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=637>.
William A. Degregorio, . The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents. 6th Edition. Fort Lee: Barricade Books Inc., 2005. Print.